These flying insects, sometimes called “filth flies,” are divided into two groups.
Fly Biology
House flies can be identified by four lengthwise stripes on the upper or middle body.
House flies don’t bite with their mouthparts.
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Instead, the mouthparts are used to suck up liquids.
House flies are only able to eat liquid foods.
Because house flies need to make a lot of saliva, they need water.
The little flecks that house flies leave behind are actually excrement.
The female fly lays about 150 eggs on a decaying food source.
The life cycle of a housefly usually lasts about three weeks.
House flies live about 2.5 weeks in warm conditions but can live up to three months in the cold.
How Flies Transmit Disease
Flies are born into a food source.
House flies, for example, lay eggs in the garbage or animal droppings.
The eggs hatch into maggots, eating the food around them.
The maggots eventually turn into pupae, within which they affect their final transition into a winged adult fly.
After they’ve fully pupated, the mature flies continue their search for food.
Their preferred food sourcesgenerally, moist and decaying organic matternaturally containbacteria, many of which are harmful to humans.
Pennsylvania State University Extension.House flies.
